There is an embarrassment of riches on our hardcover and paperback graphic books best-seller lists this week.
Volume one of “Earth 2,†from DC Comics, enters the hardcover list at No. 1. The series, written by James Robinson and beautifully illustrated by Nicola Scott, chronicles a parallel world in which Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman have died. The central question, at least at the start, is what heroes will rise up to replace them. The “Earth 2†concept is a familiar one to longtime fans. The central heroes were the Justice Society of America - a version of the Justice League whose members could take different paths: age, marry, have children, die - who frequently interacted with the “real†versions of the heroes. This “Earth 2†is putting spins on familiar names and faces. The heroes are younger, Green Lantern is gay and Hawkgirl is no longer white. (“Earth 2†is part of DC’s “New 52†initiative that has tried to make minority representation a priority. Hawkgirl’s precise ehnicity has not yet been revealed in the issues I have read.) Backstory aside, the comics have been exciting. Mr. Robinson is having fun building his world and Ms. Scott’s artwork has been richly detailed and dynamic. I’m eager to see where it all goes.
At No. 6 on the hardcover list is “Spider-Man: Dying Wish,†which made some news when it was revealed that the villainous Doctor Octopus would take over the role of Spider-Man. I had not read Spider-Man in a while, and when I saw this collected edition on the list, I figured I’d try it. Wise decision! Dan Slott has written quite the compelling, tension-filled tale of Spider-Man’s last days. The first issue puts the reader in the middle of the action, the second one explains the hero’s predicament and the third resolves it - but not in the way one would expect. Mr. Slott does a stupendous job of showing Peter Parker’s compassion and humanity and the powerful effect it has on his archenemy. Of course, turning into a champion is not enough for Doctor Octopus. He has to be better than his longtime foe - thus the change in title from “Amazing†Spider-Man to “Superior.†I am now very interestedin reading more.
At No. 1 on the paperback list is volume one of the new “Hawkeye†series, written by Matt Fraction. Hawkeye is a highly skilled archer and a member of the Avengers, who handle some of the biggest threats to the Marvel universe. But readers do need to be well versed in Marvel lore to get into this series. This take on Hawkeye feels more local (he lives in Brooklyn and his first adventure involves an unscrupulous landlord) and more immediate. The dialogue is smart and funny, and the artwork excels (it switches from David Aja to Brian Pulido for a story arc, with absolutely no drop in quality). Both artists are particularly adept at the action scenes, which can shift from down-and-dirty street fighting to high-stakes action-film craziness but are always well choreographed.
Finally, at No. 8 on the paperback list is “Olympians: Poseidon,†published by First Second and written, illustrated and meticulously researched by George O’Connor. This is the fifth installment in an eventual 12-book exploration of Greek mythology. The mighty god of the ocean takes center stage in this chapter, following Zeus, Athena, Hera and Hades, which hit No. 8 on the paperback list in February last year. I’ve always been captivated by the betrayals, intrigues and romances of the Greek Gods, and the same is true for this series, of which I’m a big fan. When I first pick up a graphic novel, I tend to get lost in the words first, but with this chapter I was especially struck by Mr. O’Connor’s page designs. Some of my favorites: a sweeping two-page spread of Poseidon angrily rising from the ocean; a full-page shot of the Cyclops named Polyphemos; and the four-page sequence nvolving Theseus, the son of Poseidon, and his struggle with the Minotaur.
As always, the complete best-seller lists can be found here, along with an explanation of how they were assembled.
